That is the message of Let's Play - a nationwide movement initiated by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to encourage Singaporeans to be involved in sport at all times.
Let's Play is the latest move to promote a sporting culture in Singapore.
It was launched yesterday at Suntec City by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports and Transport) Teo Ser Luck.
He said: "While sports participation rates are at an all- time high, research shows that people in Singapore participate in sport mostly for health and fitness.
"Many gave feedback that there is an immense untapped opportunity for people to enjoy the emotional benefits of sport."
These opportunities include watching sports events and volunteering.
Mr Teo, who also chairs the Sporting Culture Committee, added: "Since we did our study, we realised that to create a sporting culture, you need such activities to be organised. I hope that this creates a revolutionary movement on the ground."
To help facilitate sporting opportunities for all, a local sports portal www.singaporesports.sg was also launched.
The website allows people to book sports facilities, find out what events are happening and how to pick up sports like rugby, basketball and football.
The portal will also serve as a platform for users to share sporting moments captured through videos and photos, such as highlights of schools national competitions.
This comes a month after the SSC launched another website www.sporton.com.sg, which lets users find and share sports-related info, be it new sports, events or coaching clinics.
The public can also look forward to having more facilities - in the form of fields, available for use.
To date, 120 school fields have been opened to the public during weekends, an increase of 70 from 2007.
In addition, those who work out at SSC facilities can expect a new look at the sports and recreation centres (SRCs).
The SRCs at Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West, Tampines and Hougang will sport the changes by next month, while the rest of the SSC's facilities will get a facelift by March 2009.
Retiree Stella Tay, 84, gave the movement a thumbs-up. Tay, who enjoys dancing, swimming and taiji, said: "Sport is all about enjoyment and good health. Most of all, it should be fun."
For working mum Cheryl Liew, 40, sport is a chance to bond with her three sons.
She said: "Watching football as a family makes for good conversation with the children. And it's great watching them play and expressing themselves."
linxinyi@sph.com.sg
Developments
www.singaporesports.sg allows people to book facilities, find out what events are happening and how to pick up sports like rugby and basketball.
More school fields are open to the public during weekends - 120 at present.
Those who work out at SSC facilities can expect a new look at the sports and recreation centres.
This story was first published in The Straits Times on May 7, 2008.
